Rail Advisory Early Careers Professional

WSP; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Health & wellbeing support

Chartership development

GymFlex benefits

Job summary

WSP UK is seeking Early Career Professionals to join our Rail Advisory team. You will gain exposure across railway operations, maintenance, rolling stock and strategy, learning a broad set of skills while supporting major infrastructure projects.

You will work in a client-facing role, develop consultancy and commercial-management capabilities, and have opportunities to progress toward Chartered status. A degree in engineering, maths or CS is preferred.

Qualifications

• Engineering, mathematical or computer science degree.
• Ability to apply systems thinking to complex problems.
• Understanding of railways across governance, systems, technologies, operations or scheme development.
• Awareness of the consultancy environment.
• Organisational skills with proactive task planning.
• Some postgraduate rail experience.
• Confident in presenting ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Ability to communicate effectively in reports and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Act in a client-facing role across rail advisory projects.
• Learn a broad set of skills across railway operations, strategy and digital advisory.
• Support development of business cases, feasibility studies and technology integration.
• Undertake project and commercial management to build a rounded consultant profile.

Skills

Engineering/CS degree

Systems thinking

Railway knowledge

Consultancy exposure

Project & commercial management

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Education

Engineering, Mathematical or Computer Science degree

Job description

Job Description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

A little more about your role…

We are looking for Early Career Professionals to join our growing Rail Advisory business. Our Advisory business provides strategic advice to our clients and supports major infrastructure projects across all aspects of Railway Operations, Maintenance, Rolling stock and Railway strategy.

As an Early Career Professional, you will be expected to work across all aspects of what we do, learning a broad set of skills and knowledge along the way. As you develop a breadth of knowledge you will be encouraged to identify areas of Rail Advisory which you are interested to develop depth of knowledge in.

The discipline areas you will be able to develop a breadth of knowledge in will potentially include:

• Railway operations modelling, simulation and analysis. Working with our modelling experts in the UK and India you will gain experience in different forms of modelling, simulation and data analysis to support capacity planning, performance analysis, timetable modelling and network optimisation assessments.
• Depot operations and Rolling stock. Working with our depot operators you will support our roles in defining operational requirements, depot safety analysis, depot operational layouts and optimisation. Working with our rolling stock experts you will support our roles in due diligence, specification development, and auditing.
• Strategy and feasibility. You will support our experts in advising our clients on developing rail strategies, leading railway feasibility studies, development of business cases, and introduction of new systems and technologies.
• Digital Advisory. You will support transformation projects supporting our clients on the introduction of new digital technologies, implementation of technical partnerships and data strategies.
• Railway Operations and maintenance. You will work with our experienced railway and station operators and maintainers in providing advice and developing operational concepts, performance strategies, railway and stations control and operations.
• Asset Management. You will support experienced asset managers and maintainers to develop plans and procedures for asset management. Support asset data, asset identification and analysis to support our clients with digital transformation and predictive maintenance.

In all our roles you will be expected to act in a client facing role and will develop core consultancy and client facing skills. You will also undertake project and commercial management to develop a rounded set of technical and non-technical capabilities and experience to develop into a rounded consultant in Railways.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…

• You will have an engineering, mathematical or computer science degree.
• An ability to think holistically, ideally with some experience in applying systems thinking to complex problems.
• An understanding of railways across one or more of governance, systems, technologies, operations, maintenance and/or scheme development.
• An awareness and understanding of the consultancy environment.
• Organisational skills, able to plan and manage tasks with a proactive approach and a collaborative style.
• Some relevant post graduate experience in a rail related environment.
• Confidence in speaking clearly and persuasively and presenting your thoughts and ideas.
• An ability to communicate effectively when writing reports and presentations.

Don't quite meet all the criteria? Apply, and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities within the team.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

With us, you can. Apply today.

Apply today.

About Us

We are one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Our passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 11,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work-life balance.
At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It's important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community.

Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote a culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.

Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.

We also provide part‑time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That's why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.